27.9.10

A Painting in the Hall....


When you enter the Hilltop hall first thing you notice is a painting...its a painting of my ancestors Begga and Ansegisul(Ansegisus).
Begga was a daughter of Pepin of Landen († 639 ) and St. Iduberga († 652). Her sister is the famous St. Gertrude of Nivelles († 659). Begga married Ansegisus, who was a son of St. Arnold of Metz († 641). Their son, Pepin of Herstal († 714), would be the ancestor of the Carolingians, who was in turn the father of Charles Martel († 741).
After the death of her husband Begga dedicated her life and her property in the service of God's control. She made a pilgrimage to Rome. After returning she decided to stay in Andenne on the Maas. On her way she saw a chicken with seven chicks and something in her told that this place was chosen for her convent. The legend also says that she founded seven churches. We may assume that this legend originated from the images in which Begga holds a model of a church with seven towers in her hands. In any case, the monastery existed. Begga was abbess. She died in 692. Her tomb is still there in the Église Sainte-Begghe.

I was always very interested in my family heritage...and now its great to see this woman painted by Rubens!

Art ~Peter Paul Rubens.

3 comments:

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

WHAT??????DUTCHESS dear, this are YOUR ANCESTORS?????? Oh dear, I want so badly to know more about Dutch history and such....you know, I have an ancestor from Spain who was the first king of Asturias, PELAYO....that was my maiden name.....This was a fabulous post!!!! I haven't seen you around dearest...I bet you are back with Elynn!!!!! That means hopefully, that you are feeling BETTER!!! HAVE FUN! Anita

Jacoba said...

Very nice painting and so wonderful it is about your ancestors.
Family history and heritage are so important and interesting.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dearest one.....Thank you coming to visit me today....oh, I have 50 little bunnies that I tend to this year and they are darling. I do have a couple of girls that are very chatty and one boy who is bright but is always BUSY! I had a French mother watch me yesterday, and I was so happy because she was very impressed how I handled these little bunnies. I gently but honestly addressed a problem during the lesson and problem solved with them; she said, Madame, vous m'avez impressionée! Je ne sais pas comment enseigner à ma fille unique, mais vous, vous en avez 50!!! teeeeeheeeee.....I just told her that this is what we are TRAINED to do and go get our MASTERS DEGREE for!!! Oh my sweet, I am so excited for you that you are better and that you will now be able to spend time with your baby faery....give her a gentle little kiss ontop of her pretty little head for me....Bisous, Nita p.s., your music is so wonderful and ethearal....